Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Pages past, March 21: That time a Dolphin visited Clovis

On this date ...

1921: The Portales Valley News published a front-page story headlined, “Do Rabbits Lay Easter Eggs?”

“The little tots are asking if rabbits really lay Easter eggs. This is the season when it is brought to a test each year,” the paper reported.

“The show window at the Sweet Shop answers this question for the kiddies. They have a window full of real live rabbits, and there is a liberal supply of Easter eggs there, too.

“This window is a novel advertisement for this firm and will bring joy to the hearts of the children.”

1961: State highway officials had announced the four-lane overpass planned for Clovis’ Hull-Brady loop had been approved.

The overpass would be four lanes, not two as had previously been proposed.

Contracts for the overpass were expected in July.

1976: Jesse Powell, a member of the Miami Dolphins undefeated Super Bowl championship team in 1972, was in Clovis visiting friends.

Clovis News-Journal Managing Editor Bill Southard wrote that Powell was “pretty much of a regular guy,” who had invested some of his football earnings in the cattle business.

Powell, recently retired, said he had enjoyed the game, but described it as “cutthroat.” For example, he said 25 linebackers were invited to training camp, but only five made the team.

The West Texas State University graduate was living in Tulia, Texas, not far from his hometown of Spur, Texas. He sold insurance for 35 years after leaving football.

Powell had been a ninth-round draft pick in 1969. He stood 6-foot-2 inches and weighed 220 pounds. He died in 2012 at age 65.

Dressing up for Easter …

1931: J.C. Penney offered a number of Easter clothes and accessories that were “thriftily priced.”

Spring suits for men were $19.75.

Shirts and blouses for boys were 59 cents.

Women’s spring coats were $9.90 to $14.75.

New spring dresses for women were $4.98 to $9.90.

Helping Clovis build …

1961: Kemp Lumber at Fourth and Pile streets in Clovis announced its association with Eugene Snelson.

Snelson would be the lumber company’s new manager.

“Mr. Snelson will be very happy to assist you in any way with your building and improving needs,” the company announced in a paid newspaper advertisement.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:

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